“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).

Last week we looked at how Daniel resolved (a verb) to adhere to a healthy Jewish diet even while living in Babylon as a slave. We expounded on the concept of setting goals.

Now let us look at accomplishing those goals. As mentioned in earlier devotionals, I am especially good at setting good intentions, and I will allow that I am a great goal setter. I know how to set goals! Yay me!! However, I have about a fifty percent lifetime achievement rate—maybe–if I am optimistic.

As is obvious in the opening passage, Jesus is heading toward his crucifixion, which is a critical step in his plan to serve as the atonement for the sins of humankind. He knows this is going to be the hardest thing he has ever done. He has known it from the beginning, but now that his three-year ministry has begun in earnest, it is imminent. We want to think: It is Jesus! He is divine. He knows it will all work out and He will end up back on His throne in heaven (and He will). However, He is also fully human, and in His humanity He knows He will experience not only humiliation and extreme physical pain, but also the agony of separation from His heavenly Father. I imagine that Jesus is filled with an immense dread and sorrow which would manifest itself physically, mentally, and emotionally. You may recall that he was actually sweating drops of blood during the last evening before his arrest.

Nonetheless, Jesus is resolute. He is moving forward step by step. He is committing each thought to His divine purpose and prayerfully placing each second in God’s hands. He speaks words of truth and encouragement, bringing others along in His ministry, always keeping his ultimate objective in His sights. He serves as a beautiful role model for how to live a life of obedience, resolutely.

Let us resolve to do God’s will, and then resolutely follow through.

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4).

In Christ,

Judy